(Image: Newsquest)
People cannot get over how much they have to pay to travel to the North East after a recent train fare cost a passenger "nearly £200".
A viral post questioning rail costs has reignited debate after a screenshot showed the price to get to Newcastle from London.
A screenshot from rail ticket platform Trainline, posted to X (formerly Twitter) yesterday (October 15) showed the cheapest LNER ticket for travel from London to Newcastle for the next day priced at £184.50.
The post has gained more than 640,000 views and 11,000 likes, with fellow rail passengers sharing their frustration at the "ridiculous" prices.
London-based Newcastle United fan Tom Johnston made the original post, writing: "How have we let this happen as a country?"
How have we let this happen as a country https://t.co/vSnm9TXnag
— TJ (@tomjohnst0n) October 15, 2026
Johnson followed up to commenters advising him to book in advance with another screenshot, showing prices for November 13, with LNER tickets not yet available and Lumo's listed at £178.
He joked: "Cheaper if you book in advance apparently!"
In February 2024, LNER trialled removing traditional Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak single tickets on routes between London and destinations from Newcastle northwards.
The Simpler Fares trial replaced them with 70-minute Flex tickets and fully flexible tickets. Advance and Anytime tickets remain available.
LNER said the scheme would benefit passengers through "clearer ticket options and flexibility that matches the modern way we travel".
However, critics argued this meant passengers increasingly faced dynamic pricing instead of fixed off-peak fares.
One commenter said: "Could get the plane to Vienna and back for less than that, what a joke."
The new ticket initiative was introduced from London King’s Cross to the Northumberland Line in summer 2026. Advance and Anytime fares remain available.
Some passengers say removing off-peak fares hurts those who travel on short notice, with commenters quick to complain about raised next-day prices.
One individual said: "Biggest issue with trains is for some reason, the operators think people will book them weeks in advance like they do with flights, and not days if not hours in advance like they actually do."
Another commenter said: "It's actually ridiculous; even with a Railcard it's still pricey, you shouldn't have to pay over £60 for any train journey and I stand by that, even if it's 8hrs.
"Why am I paying nearly £200 to get to Newcastle?"
A spokesperson for LNER said: “Many great value fares are available for LNER services across our route.
"We always encourage people to book tickets in advance for the best prices, which is why we put tickets on sale up to 24 weeks in advance, where possible, to help our customers plan ahead.
"Even if customers book just two weeks in advance, prices between London and Newcastle can start from £34.90 one way.”